Thermal transfer footwear; sock or stocking

ABSTRACT

The product relates to a heat-regulating sock ( 1 ) with heat-conducting materials in certain areas. In one example embodiment the device may provide a means of conducting heat in and around the foot and leg. Heat can be intentionally transferred from one area of the foot to another, from an area of the leg to an area of the foot, from an area of leg to an area of the foot, from the foot to the localized atmosphere, or from the localized atmosphere to the foot. To this end, the inventive sock has at least one thermally conductive material ( 2 ) touching a portion of the foot or leg, in one or multiple locations, and conducting heat towards other regions of the foot or away from the contacted area of the foot with one or more additional materials insulating the conductive material.

The product relates to a thermal transferring sock with heat-conductingmaterials in certain areas. In one example embodiment the device mayprovide a means of conducting heat in and around the foot and leg. Heatcan be intentionally transferred from one area of the foot to another,from an area of the leg to an area of the foot, from an area of leg toan area of the foot, from the foot to the localized atmosphere, or fromthe localized atmosphere to the foot.

BACKGROUND

Socks are generally worn to provide additional comfort to the foot andto protect the foot from the localized environment. Often, in an effortto provide foot comfort, side effects can be incurred. Inclusive to thisare locations of the foot or lower leg becoming warmer than desired.Contrastingly, locations of the foot or leg may be cold while otherareas are wanner than the cold area. Therefore a need exists for a sockto transfer heat from one portion of the leg or foot to another area ofthe leg or foot. A contrasting need may exist for the sock to transferheat away from the foot or leg to the surrounding ambient, or from thesurrounding ambient to the foot or leg.

One use case is in the application where the sock wearer is also wearinga pair of boots. In cold weather, the lower portion of the foot and toesoften become cold. The cold may be the result of restrictive blood flowfrom the non-sock footwear, or from the transfer of colder temperaturesfrom outside the footwear. In either case, the portion of the sockbetween the lower leg and upper foot and the boot often has moreinsulation and is therefore warmer than the lower foot. It would not bean exception to have the location on the lower leg generating excessheat, to the point of inducing sweat. In the example of this inventivesock, the heat conductive portion of the sock contacting the skin on thelower leg transfers heat from the warmer portion of the lower leg to thecolder portion of the foot.

Several design iterations are possible for transferring heat from thewarm portion of the foot/leg to the colder portion of the foot/leg. Inone case, the heat transfer material may remain in contact with the skinas heat is transferred along the sock; from the lower leg to the upperfoot, over the ankle and mid-foot, and continuing on to the toes. Inthis embodiment; the other constituents of the sock would be heatinsulators between the footwear and the conductive material to which theescapement of heat is prevented.

A second design purposes the heat conductive material contacts the hotarea of the foot/leg, is insulated from the foot/leg between the hot andcold sections, and again contacts the cold portion of the leg/foot. Theintermediate portion of the sock is constructed of a heat-insulatingmaterial to prevent the loss of heat from the sock and heat conductiveportions of the sock. In this embodiment the design consists of three ormore layers of sock where one insulated layer is always external to allother layers of the sock.

A third unique example of the embodiment of the design of this sock isutilized to transfer heat away from hot portions of the foot/leg. In oneexample the sock wearer is also wearing footwear external to the sock inwhich the temperature of the foot/leg is warmer than the localizedexternal environment. The heat transfer materials in the sock would beoriented in such that the heat conductive material would contact thelower portion of the foot, between the shoe and skin. The heatconductive material would follow the contour of the sock out of the shoeand transition from contacting the skin to being exposed to the externalenvironment and insulated from the skin of the lower leg. One or morelayers of heat insulating material would be between the heat conductingmaterial and the skin. In this way, heat can be transferred through theconductive material away from the foot to the localized environment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE IDEA

The present design provides a knit sock that can be useful intransferring heat from one portion of the foot/leg to another portion ofthe foot/leg or from one portion of the foot/leg to the localizedenvironment. The sock is also useful for wearers with localized hot orcold portions of the foot and leg.

The sock of the present design can be readily expanded several times itscircumference to provide ease and comfort when putting the sock onto thefoot and leg of the wearer. The sock of the design can provide good heattransfer to help keep the foot of the wearer warmer than withconventional socks. The sock of the design can also provide good heattransfer to help keep the foot/leg of the wearer cooler than withconventional socks. Further, the sock is designed to prevent substantialbunching or wrinkling of the sock against the foot of the wearer, forexample, when the foot bends in use. The present design can thusmaximize heat transfer with the skin, which in turn can maximize heattransfer.

The sock can include a leg section and a foot section. The leg sectionhas substantial circumferential expandability to allow it to he readilydrawn over and cover at least a portion of a leg of a wearer. Becausethe leg section is readily expandable, it can be fitted onto the wearerwith relative ease and comfort. The sock can also remain in place oncefitted onto the wearer. An exemplary knit construction useful to impartthe desired degree of expansion and fit is a rib knit construction,which optionally can include at least one elastic yarn interwoven with aheat transfer material or yarn.

The foot section of the sock can include a heel section, a toe section,a sole section, and an instep section. Any combination or permutation ofthe sections can include the heat transfer material. Construction of thefoot section elements may be a combination of heat transfer materialdirectly contacting the skin or having an insulating material betweenthe skin and the heat transfer material.

In one embodiment of the sock may have a plurality of sandwichconstruction in areas of the sock. An exemplary condition for thisembodiment can be used to transfer heat from the lower portion of theleg to the foot, where the heat conductive material makes direct contactwith the skin in the lower leg, is plied between two insulate layersbetween the ankle portion and upper foot portion, and again makes directcontact with the skin; in or near the toes.

The sock may be constructed using one or more of the types of yamsuseful for the production of knit socks, including one or more yarnsformed of synthetic or man-made fibers (including blends of differentsynthetic fibers), one or more yams formed of natural fibers (includingblends of different natural fibers), one or more yams of metallic fibers(including blend of different metals), one or more yarns of engineeredcomposites, and one or more yarns formed of blends of synthetic fibers,natural fibers, metallic fibers and engineered composite fibers. Yamshaving different properties, such as yarns formed of different types offibers, yarns having different deniers, and the like, can also be usedin combination with one another within one or more sections of the sock.For example, one or more sections of the sock can include at least twodifferent yarns, each having a different denier and/or formed ofdifferent types of fibers. As a non-limiting example, different sectionsof the foot of the sock can include a first yarn of acrylic fiber havinga first denier and a second yarn of metallic fibers having a seconddenier different from the first denier of the acrylic yarn.Advantageously, the sock can include yarns having heat conductivityproperties, such as metallic yarns, organic threads, or modern manmadecomposite and coated materials.

The specific orientation of the heat transfer material is not limitedwithin this application.

Insofar as the heat is transferred in and around the foot and leg, thesesocks provide the design to utilize conductive materials in theconstruction of the sock to facilitate transfer of heat. The novelty ofthis design lies in the utilization of thermally-conductive materialsused on conjunction with traditional sock materials, including cotton,wool, linen, polyester, acrylic, manmade composites, coated traditionalmaterials, and other fabrics; this list in not intended to beexhaustive.

A need thus exists for a sock that provides comfort through thermalregulation and the durability to withstand washing and substantial wear.None of mentioned designs or patents is seen to suggest or claim theproperties as the product claimed herein.

While the product has been described in connection with specificembodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of furthermodification and development, and this application is intended to coverany variations, uses, or adaptations of the design and includingdepartures from the present disclosure as come within expected orcustomary practice in the art to which the design pertains and as may beapplied to the essential features herein set forth, and as fall withinthe scope of the product and the limits of the claim.

For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the presentdesign, reference should be had to the following detailed description,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like partsare given like reference numerals, and where:

FIG. 1 is a side, perspective view of a typical sock, illustrating theconfiguration and differing knits as found in a typical sock accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an alternative embodiment of the sock design where the legportion of the sock is of an alternative design having less contact withthe lower portion of the leg, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side, perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thepresent design illustrating the placement of the conductive materialplacements and the folding over of a portion of the sock according toone embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side, perspective view of an embodiment of the presentdesign illustrating the folding of the cuff and construction of theconductive thread on the inside of the sock according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of an embodiment of the design where a typicalconstruction of a three or greater number of layers of sock constructionaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of an embodiment of the design where thetypical construction of the sock is of two layers according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side, perspective view of another alternative embodiment ofthe present design illustrating the conductive layer located on theinner part of lower section of the sock and a conductive layer locatedon the external portion of the upper portion of the sock according toone embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side, perspective view of another alternative embodiment ofthe present design illustrating the insulate layer located on the innerpart of lower section, the folding over of a portion of the upper partof the sock, and a conductive portion of the sock in the folded overportion according to one embodiment.

As may be seen in FIG. 1, the socks as preferably used with the presentdesign is of a thick, cushioned type, typically associated withathletics socks and the like. Such a sock typically can include amixture of two primary types of knits—a smooth, cushioning knit and acourser knit having elastic properties for compressing the upper areaabove the ankle and sometimes including the ankle.

Typically, the upper area of the socks made so by the inclusion ofcotton knit or the like, configured for facilitating a desirable,conforming fit, in which the sock is prevented from “sliding” down theleg of the user, remaining secure in place even during significantmovements.

Referring to FIG. 1, the upper, lower leg enveloping portion 1 of theillustrated socks forms that portion covering the ankle and low leg ofthe wearer according to one embodiment.

In a configuration where heat is transferred from one portion of thefoot or lower leg to another portion of the foot or lower leg. The sockin accordance with the design, which is designated as a whole by (1),has a conductive material (2) proceeding from the lower portion of thefoot, and extends up to the band (3), and is formed of thermalconducting material. Through this conductive material (2), thermalenergy is drawn off one area of the foot/leg and transferred (4) throughthe conductive material to another portion of the foot/leg, as depictedin FIGS. 1-4 according to one embodiment.

The thermally conductive material (2) may be arranged in such a way thatit is bordered on multiple sides by a thermally insulating material (5),as show in FIG. 5 according to one embodiment.

In a configuration where heat is transferred away one portion of thefoot or lower leg to the surrounding ambient environment. The sock inaccordance with the design, which is designated as a whole by (1), has aconductive material (2) proceeding from the lower portion of the foot,and extends up to the band (3), and is formed of thermal conductingmaterial. Through this conductive material (2), thermal energy is drawnoff one area of the foot/leg and transferred (4) through the conductivematerial to an area insulated from the foot of the wearer, as depictedin FIGS. 1, 2, 7, 8 according to one embodiment.

The thermally conductive material (2) may be arranged in such a way thatit is bordered on one side by a thermally insulating material (5), asshow in FIG. 6 according to one embodiment.

The embodiments described herein in detail for exemplary purposes are ofcourse subject to many different variations in structure, design,application, materials and methodology. Thus, the sock can be formed asa left/right sock, the configuration of a conductive layer can divergefrom the one depicted here, and the like. Because many varying anddifferent embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventiveconcepts herein disclosed, and because many modifications may be made inthe embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptiverequirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details hereinare to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.wh

What is claimed is:
 1. A thermally-conductive sock having a foot portionwith sole, an intermediate portion extending therefrom, and a band atthe top thereof, comprising: a conductive material provided inpredetermined areas especially for use in various environments where thefoot may become cooler than the localized environment wherein the wearerwishes to utilize the temperature differential between regions of thesock and foot and a thermally conductive material and an insulatingmaterial knit and wound together with the thermally conductive materialmaking direct contact with the foot. 1.1. A temperature moderating sockin accordance with claim 1 characterized in that, the thermallyconductive material is formed as a thread. 1.2. A temperature moderatingsock in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that, the thermallyconductive material has a conductive rate of up to about 3,300 watts permeter per Kelvin (W/m*K). 1.3. A temperature moderating sock inaccordance with claim 1 characterized in that, the thermally conductivematerial has a conductive rate of at least 100 watts per meter perKelvin (W/m*K). 1.4. A temperature moderating sock in accordance withclaim 1 characterized in that, the thermally conductive material is incontact with the wearer's epidermis in at least 1 location. 1.5. Atemperature moderating sock in accordance with claim 1 characterized inthat, the thermally conductive material is in contact with the wearer'sepidermis in at least 2 locations and out of contact with the wearersfoot in at least 1 location. 1.6. A temperature moderating sock inaccordance with claim 1 characterized in that, the thermally conductivematerial is constructed with at least one thermally insulating material.1.7. A temperature moderating sock in accordance with claim 1characterized in that, the thermally conductive material is woven above,below and between one or more thermally insulating material. 1.8. Atemperature moderating sock in accordance with claim 1 characterized inthat, an elastic yarn or thread is interwoven with other portions of thesock.
 2. A thermally-conductive sock having a foot portion with sole, anintermediate portion extending therefrom, and a band at the top thereof,comprising: a conductive material provided in predetermined areasespecially for use in various environments where the foot may becomewarmer than the localized environment wherein the wearer wishes toutilize the temperature differential between regions of the sock andfoot, and temperature differentials between the localized environmentand the sock. a thermally conductive material and an insulating materialknit and wound together with the thermally conductive material makingdirect contact with the foot. 2.1. A temperature moderating sock inaccordance with claim 1 characterized in that, the thermally conductivematerial is formed as a thread. 2.2. A temperature moderating sock inaccordance with claim 1 characterized in that, the thermally conductivematerial has a conductive rate of up to about 3,300 watts per meter perKelvin (W/m*K). 2.3. A temperature moderating sock in accordance withclaim 1 characterized in that, the thermally conductive material has aconductive rate of at least 100 watts per meter per Kelvin (W/m*K). 2.4.A temperature moderating sock in accordance with claim 1 characterizedin that, the thermally conductive material is in contact with thewearer's epidermis in at least 1 location. 2.5. A temperature moderatingsock in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that, the thermallyconductive material is in contact with the wearer's epidermis in atleast 2 locations and out of contact with the wearers foot in at least 1location. 2.6. A temperature moderating sock in accordance with claim 1characterized in that, the thermally conductive material is exposed toenvironmental conditions in at least one location. 2.7. A temperaturemoderating sock in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that, thethermally conductive material is constructed with at least one thermallyinsulating material placed between the wearer's epidermis and thethermally conductive material. 2.8. A temperature moderating sock inaccordance with claim 1 characterized in that, the thermally conductivematerial is woven above, below and between one or more thermallyinsulating material. 2.9. A temperature moderating sock in accordancewith claim 1 characterized in that, an elastic yarn or thread isinterwoven with other portions of the sock.